Like a Fox

I did something huge this week. I changed my name. Not legally, but changed it nonetheless. I felt the need for a pen name and also wanted to establish some sort of continuity as I move forward with writing and speaking. Should I get married again, a pen name will give platform for that, while still being able to take his name officially.

As I approached this process, several key people were brought to me a I made this journey. They were able to help me articulate and reveal my desires in this and as everything progressed, more and more clarity and peace came. I did not expect this to be such a profound spiritual experience but it certainly has turned out to be so.

I have always loved my first name, Naomi, and knew that I wanted to keep that. And rather than just choosing something that “sounded really good” with my name, more than that I wanted something that had profound meaning.

Over the course of my years, I have gone through the process of naming five of my own children, two of which are now angels that didn’t make it to Earth, and took great care and consideration with each of them. The meanings behind all of their names is significant, so of course I would approach my conscious naming of myself this way.

I also have built a business around creating and discovering the names by which people call their businesses. I have the honor and privilege of working with people as new brands are budding and emerging to tell the world what they have to offer.

I have a dear friend who has gone through a similar process and landed with the last name of Wolf. What a fantastic last name! For years I have actually secretly wished that I could marry someone amazing with that specific last name so I was drawn to this concept that she had chosen it herself, outside of marriage, for her professional presence. I always thought “Wolf” would be a great name to go with “Naomi” as “Naomi Wolf” is such a fantastic name, especially for an author. But there already IS a Naomi Wolf author and she’s doing a bang up job of it as well.

This wonderful friend sat with me and brainstormed with me. What would I call myself? What would take me through the upcoming years and decades as I built a presence and influence? The name that just kept coming to me was “Fox” and we laughed at the idea of “Fox and Wolf” and how that went together so well. And they do. But the more I explored the meanings behind the fox the more and more I was convinced that I was led to it, rather than just stumbled upon it.

Fox art by Robert Farkas http://astronaut.co.hu/

For example, the Native American tradition says that the fox represents FAMILY. And not just family in general, but specifically the family that you choose.WOW! That was exactly what I was doing! As a woman who has been divorced twice, and been fully invested each time, taking their names upon me, and giving it to my children as well, this was profound. I was taking my SURNAME and making it into something that would serve me and honor all that I am building and seeking to be professionally.

Upon further examination, I was shown the following by a woman who has been brought into my life for many amazing reasons, one of which is as a spiritual guide and teacher. She read this to me and I found the text on this site, emphasis added where the words just leapt out to me:

If Fox has chosen to share its medicine with you, it is a sign that you are to become like the wind, which is unseen yet is able to weave into and through any location or situation. You would be wise to observe the acts of others rather that their words at this time. Use your cunning nature in a positive way; keep silent about who and what and why you are observing. In learning the art of camouflage, you need to test your ability to pull this off.

Another natural gift of Fox is the ability to adapt to winter by changing color, like the chameleon. Its rich, white, winter coat allows Fox to blend into the snow when the leaves no longer linger. Fox medicine involves adaptability, cunning, observation, integration, and swiftness of thought and action. These traits may also include quick decisiveness, and sure-footedness in the physical world.

Fox’s ability to be unseen allows it to be the protector of the family unit. If danger arises, Fox is johnny-on-the- spot. Nanih Waiya, Great Spirit in the Choctaw tongue, honors Fox with the duty of keeping the family together and safe. This is accomplished through Fox’s ability to observe undetected, without making others self-conscious. Fox is always concerned with the safety of family members and is an excellent talisman for those traveling far afield.

Much like the clowns at the rodeo, Fox can keep the raging bull from stampeding a friend or family member. Fox can use silly tactics as a brilliant camouflage move. No one could guess the sly power behind such ingenious maneuvers.

Incredible! As a woman who was in a domestic violence situation recently, that was also very subtly controlling, limiting and dangerous for myself and my babies, this really rang true! Once I decided to leave there was swiftness and wisdom and even that protective cunningness to get out and get safe.

I also am often found having fun and “blending in” through being myself and most people do not realize just how much that I take in. I am not the stereotypical “wallflower observer” that quietly drinks in everything around me. I get up close and personal and see what people are telling me about themselves with their words, yes, but more loudly with their actions. This is not something that I have always been, but more of something that I have become.

While yes there is also the fun side of it like “oh what a fox!” to me it is so much more about the spiritual significance of what FOX really means to me. Layers and layers of meaning. This is one of the most beautiful things about the feminine expression. And I expect to continue to learn more and more about what this sacred symbol means for me.

So moving forward, I will be Naomi Fox for all things professional. My personal life will get to retain my current last name and I will get to have a more clear and distinct separation. I am truly so thrilled to see what will come from this new platform and invite you to join me in my excitement and peace about it.

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Naomi Fox

Author, Speaker, Mentor & Seed PlanterNaomi is a mom to three amazing boys, an author, speaker, mentor and seed planter. She is also a domestic violence survivor and has become an expert on the subject of stress and the management of it. Please read and share from the blog. For more information about Naomi click on the "About" tab at the top.